Ultimate Guide: Titans confirm team
It's officially crunch time for the nib Newcastle Knights with two more matches remaining in the regular season, starting with the Gold Coast Titans this Thursday at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
A huge two points will be on the line for both teams with the Knights high on confidence coming off four straight wins.
The Gold Coast have lost their last two but remain alive in the fight for the top eight.
The chance to lock in a coveted finals appearance will fixate the battle for the Knights.
This is your Ultimate Guide to the Newcastle Knights Round 24 fixture against the Gold Coast Titans, brought to you by Mine Super.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS V GOLD COAST TITANS
Date: Thursday August 26th, 2021
Kick-off: 7:50pm
Venue: Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast
*Get your tickets HERE.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 2007
Played: 24
Knights: 12
Titans: 12
TEAMS
Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga (c), 2. Enari Tuala, 3. Kurt Mann, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Hymel Hunt, 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. Sauaso Sue, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Jacob Saifiti, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Mitch Barnett, 13. Connor Watson. Interchange: 14. Brodie Jones, 15. Chris Randall , 16. Josh King, 17. Jirah Momoisea. 18th Man: 19. Pasami Saulo.
Coach: Adam O'Brien
Titans
1. Jayden Campbell, 2. Phillip Sami, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. Patrick Herbert, 5. Corey Thompson, 6. Tyrone Peachey, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Jarrod Wallace, 9. Mitch Rein, 10, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Beau Fermor, 13. Sam McIntyre. Interchange: 14. Erin Clark, 15. David Fifita, 16. Moeaki Fotuaika, 17. Jaimin Joliffe. 18th Man: 18. Toby Sexton.
Coach: Justin Holbrook
TEAM NEWS
LATE MAIL: The Titans have confirmed an unchanged line up, with Toby Sexton confirmed as the side's 18th man.
Meanwhile, the Knights will line up 1-17, with Pasami Saulo in reserve.
UPDATE: Esan Masters and Greg Marzhew have been omitted from the Gold Coast team.
Meanwhile, Simi Sasagi and Jack Johns were the players to drop out of the Knights squad.
EARLIER: Knights Head Coach, Adam O'Brien, has named his 21-man squad for Thursday night's massive clash.
With David Klemmer missing due to suspension, Sauaso Sue has been drafted into the starting side to set the tone up front.
Tyson Frizell comes back into the side from a suspension of his own, pushing Brodie Jones back to the bench.
There are no further changes to the squad which beat Canterbury last weekend.
For the Titans, David Fifita has been named on the bench alongside returning Origin teammate Moeaki Fotuaika.
Phillip Sami returns to the wing while Ash Taylor has dropped out of the line-up with Tyrone Peachey named at five-eight.
Mitch Rein has also been named at hooker pushing Erin Clark to the bench.
FORM GUIDE
Newcastle's 22-16 victory over the Bulldogs last round notched four wins on the bounce for the red and blue.
It was the first time under current Head Coach, Adam O'Brien, that the side has won four games in a row.
The result cemented the team into seventh spot on the ladder and four points above the chasing pack.
As for the Gold Coast, the side went down 34-20 to the Melbourne Storm last start.
The Titans sit in ninth spot with nine wins and 13 losses and have won three of the last five.
TITANIC BATTLE
In the race for the top eight, this match looms as a huge decider for one of the final spots.
If Newcastle defeat the Titans, they will move to 26 points and lock in their second consecutive top eight finish.
If Newcastle were to be defeated by the Titans, they will have another opportunity to finish in the finals with their final round clash against the Brisbane Broncos.
The Titans along with the Sharks and the Raiders sit four points below and two of those sides will need to win both of their final games for a chance to leapfrog Newcastle.
The highest the Knights can finish is 7th while the lowest is 10th.
KEY MATCH-UP
Jacob Saifiti v Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
The two No. 10's highlight our key match-up with both props having huge significance on their respective line-ups.
Saifiti has been a instrumental for the Knights this season nailing down his starting spot.
J-Saf has averaged 107 running metres this season combined with 780 post contact metres so far this season.
Saifiti will have a battle on his hand against the Queensland Origin representative.
Fa'asuamaleaui has made 45 tackle breaks this season and has scored three tries.
STAT ATTACK
Mitchell Pearce has almost an 80 per cent win record this season featuring in seven wins from nine games.
Newcastle has won seven games at home this season with the Sunshine Coast Stadium registered as a home game.
Titans have a five win and six loss record on the road.
Enari Tuala has scored seven tries in his past four games to now stand as the leading try-scorer for the Club.
David Fifita leads the NRL for tackle breaks with 139.
5050 CHARITY RAFFLE
The 50-50 Charity Raffle is a not-for-profit fundraising product operated by the 50-50 Foundation. It is the Foundation's aim to raise significant funds for charities and good causes by partnering with sporting clubs and teams, event owners and charity partners to host fundraising raffles.
50 percent of the prize pool raised at each fundraising raffle goes to one lucky ticket holder who is drawn at random during the event. The remaining 50 percent goes directly towards charitable purposes.
Our charity partner for the match is - Lifeline
